And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

At the time, the chorus just went “round” and “round” in my head, so the following explanation is what occurred to me: I'm caught in the reverie of how poignant the song is at that time of year; It's another new year, the familiar feeling of our congregation coming together, yet again, looking forward to new beginnings, celebrating and worshiping with old friends, and re-connecting with those I may only see infrequently. I always think it's cool when the unconscious brings things to us that, as Telushkin would say, have “Invisible lines of connection”. And I left the thought at that.

But the song wouldn't leave. For days. Weeks. Months! Oh, I'd have a few days peace, but then, there it was again! Hounding me.

This year has been a tumultuous one for our family. It's been the college application frenzy, with school visits, essays, paperwork, and all the attendant anxiety, excitement, and discipline (or lack thereof). In the midst of it all, I periodically catch my breath and see how much our son Cary, has matured, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. I found myself looking across the dinner table, thinking, “Just where did you come from?” And where has the time gone from when you sat on the dinner table in your car-seat, with me spoon feeding you, and you gurgling back to us, with that little smile on your face, to today, when you lecture us on the Socratic method that you're enjoying so much in school, or how Eminem actually produces some decent music (I use the term with its most liberal interpretation here). And, on examination, I find I agree with you! Or your plans for this weekend, next month, the summer, and in college. It's all happening too fast, now.

Back to Joni Mitchell, though. The song is pervasive. Unrelenting. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I finally go online to download and hear the entire song, and then find a website that has the lyrics printed out, and here they are, to my astonishment:

THE CIRCLE GAME by Joni Mitchell

Yesterday a child came out to wonder Caught a dragonfly inside a jar Fearful when the sky was full of thunder And tearful at the falling of a star Then the child moved ten times round the seasons Skated over ten clear frozen streams Words like, when you're older, must appease him And promises of someday make his dreams

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him,
Take your time, it won't be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game.